Beehive kiln



June 21, 1955 J, cHlLD, JR 2,711,003

BEEHIVE KILN Filed June 15, 1955 "L L INVENTOR. Q Q JAMES L. CHfLD JR.

ATTY:

United States Patent O BEEHIVE KILN James L. Child, Jr., Findlay, Ohio, assignor to The Hancock Brick & Tile Company, Findlay, Ohio, :1 corporation of Ohio Application June 15, 1953, Serial No. 361,454

3 Claims. (Cl. 25-132) This invention relates to kilns but more particularly to beehive kilns which are used for drying clay tile, for example, and an object is to produce a new and improved kiln of this character which is simpler and more efficient in construction, can be heated for less expense, can be more economically erected and maintained, and has the novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described.

For purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a beehive kiln, parts being broken away to show structural details; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the dome or crown supporting structure.

Heretofore, beehive kilns as used for drying clay tile have been built with exceedingly thick side walls fabricated of several thicknesses of fire brick, not only involving considerable expense for labor and materials, but also substantial expense in operation, since the firing procedure is quite costly. This invention aims greatly to simplify the construction of the kiln, reducing the building and maintenance costs as well as the amount of fuel required for firing, thereby increasing the efficiency of the kiln The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises an annular concrete foundation F, which is suitably sunk into the ground with the portion projecting thereabove having a flat surface and an upwardly disposed annular rim F. Supported on the fiat portion of the foundation is a steel shell or drum which extends entirely around the kiln. On the inside of the drum and abutting it is an insulation board 11 of any suitable material which is fire resistant and has heat insulation properties. In this instance, the drum 10 and insulation board 11 are of the same height, and engaging the inner surface of the insulation board 11 is a single vertical course of insulating fire brick 12. As shown, insulating fire brick is also disposed on the inner side of the foundation F.

Resting on the upper edge of the steel drum 10 and arranged in horizontal fashion is an outwardly projecting steel shelf 14 which extends completely around the kiln and the inner edge of the shelf is welded to the upper edge of the drum, as particularly shown on Figure 2. The shelf 14 assists in supporting the crown 16 of the kiln, which is of any well-known or desired construction, the dome or crown being preferably constructed of insulating fire brick with suitable wedges and keys as will be readily understood by those skilled in this art.

Containing the lower portion of the dome or crown 16 is an upright steel plate or rim in the form of a ring, the lower edge of which is welded to the upper surface of the shelf 14. The shelf 14 is braced and supported by a series of equi-distantly spaced gussets 13 preferably in the form of upright steel beams, the lower ends of which rest upon the foundation F and the inner edges abut against the outside of the steel drum 10. The gussets 13 are suitably welded to the under side of the shelf 14 and also to the shell 10.

The joint 17 between the inside of the crown 16 and ice the top course of insulating fire brick, as well as a groove 18 afforded between the inner liner insulating fire brick and the insulating fire brick forming the crown, is sealed by suitable refractory mortar of the type which does not harden but remains somewhat plastic.

It will be understood that the fire boxes, flues, and loading and unloading doors are omitted from the drawing in the interest of clarity. Thus the novel structural features alone have been hereinbefore described and illustrated on the drawings. These other structural features are wellknown to those skilled in this art, and illustration and description thereof are not considered necessary.

It will be understood that the kiln above described may be erected in a minimum amount of time and at a relatively low cost. Although substantial insulation is atforded in the side walls, nevertheless these walls can be heated more quickly and at less fuel cost than is the case with the conventional kiln structure. Thus a substantial saving is effected not only in the cost of erection and maintenance, but also with respect to the operational cost.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A kiln of the character described comprising a foundation, a steel drum supported in upright position on said foundation, insulation on the inside of the drum, a course of insulating fire brick on the inside of said insulation, a crown top of insulating fire brick for the kiln, a steel shelf resting on the upper edge of said drum and extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the lower edge of said crown top, an upright steel rim fixed to the outer portion of said shelf for containing the lower portion of said crown top, and beams interposed between said shelf and said foundation.

2. A kiln of the character described comprising a foundation, a steel drum supported in upright position on said foundation, insulation on the inside of the drum, a course of insulating fire brick on the inside of said insulation, a crown top for the kiln, a horizontal steel shelf resting on the upper edge of said drum and extending outwardly therefrom for supporting the lower edge of said crown top, an upright steel rim fixed to the outer portion of said shelf for containing the lower portion of said crown top, and a series of spaced upright steel beams resting on said foundation along the outer side of said drum and engaging beneath said shelf for supporting the same.

3. A kiln of the character described comprising a foundation, a steel drum supported in upright position on said flat foundation, an insulating board on the inner side of said drum, a course of insulating fire brick on the inner side of said insulating board, a crown top of insulating fire brick for the kiln, a steel shelf arranged horizontally and having its inner edge welded to the upper edge of said drum for supporting said crown top, said shelf extending outwardly from the upper edge of said drum, an upright steel plate welded to the outer edge portion of said shelf and providing a rim for containing the lower portion of the crown top, and a series of spaced steel beams resting on said foundation and engaging beneath the outwardly extending shelf for supporting the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 413,905 Blanchard Oct. 29, 1889 749,413 Warwick Ian. 12, 1904 1,445,860 Turek Feb. 20, 1923 1,448,162 Sneddon Mar. 13, 1923 1,686,761 Norton Oct. 9, 1928 

